Auto and Truck Accidents
At Mickel & Huffman we help injured people receive compensation for their injuries when they are not at fault for a collision. Injuries include bodily injury, property damage, lost wages and pain and suffering. Mickel & Huffman’s attorneys are experienced and dedicated to fighting for people who are injured in auto accidents.
If you or a loved one are injured in an auto accident it is important to remember that the insurance companies may not be looking out for your best interests. One should not give any statements or provide any information without first consulting one of the experienced attorneys at Mickel & Huffman. Our attorneys will fight to get you the compensation that you deserve for your injuries. Call us today for a free consultation and case evaluation.
What To Do After An Accident
Knowing what to do after an accident can make a huge difference in whether or not you will be compensated for your injuries. If you are in an auto accident follow the list below to provide the best possible circumstances for the attorneys at Mickel & Huffman to pursue your claim:
1. Seek Medical Attention
If you are injured in an auto accident the most important thing to do is seek medical attention promptly. Many injuries require immediate attention to address. Moreover, some injuries will not present symptoms for some time after the accident – it is very important to seek medical attention as soon as you become aware of an injury.
2. File a Police Report
In most injury accidents the police will be called and will fill out a report and possibly issue a citation to the at-fault driver on the scene of the accident. However, if the police are not called it is very important for the injured party to file a police report as soon as possible to support their claim of damages.
3. Do Not Give A Statement To Any Insurance Company Representative
In many cases, once an insurance company becomes aware that their insured was involved and at fault in an auto accident, they will reach out to the injured party. Insurance companies do this in order to obtain facts which they can use to defend their insured – these insurance companies are not on your side! If you are contacted by anyone from an insurance company, respectfully decline to provide a statement and call the attorneys at Mickel & Huffman immediately. Our attorneys are experienced in dealing with insurance companies and will provide excellent advocacy on your behalf in dealing with the insurance companies.
4. Record Everything
If you are injured in an auto accident, it is important to keep all relevant documentation in order to provide it to your attorney at Mickel & Huffman. If you are able, it is important to take pictures of the scene, including your vehicle and the tortfeasor’s vehicle – these pictures will help your attorneys support your claim. It is also important to keep copies of any other documentation that you receive from the police, your medical records, vehicle repair bills/estimates, statements from insurance companies – anything and everything that relates in any way to your injury.
5. Call The Experienced Attorneys at Mickel & Huffman
As soon as you are able to do so, it is important to contact an experienced attorney. At Mickel & Huffman, we have extensive experience in fighting for compensation for injured people and their families. From the moment that you are injured the tortfeasor’s insurance company, and their attorneys, are working on defending their insured – it is very important for injured people to have someone on their side, fight for them right away. Call the experienced trial attorneys at Mickel & Huffman today for a free consultation and case evaluation.
Underinsured/Uninsured Motorists
Did you know that even if the person at fault’s insurance coverage is inadequate to fully compensate you for your injuries your own insurance may provide additional compensation?
Many automobile insurance policies include what is known as “Underinsured Motorist Coverage” or UIM. UIM is a part of your insurance policy that kicks in to compensate you when you are in an accident for which you are not at fault when the other person’s insurance is inadequate to fully compensate you for your medical bills, damage to your vehicle, lost wages and pain and suffering. Call the attorneys at Mickel & Huffman today to discuss your options.
Did you know that even if an at fault person does not have insurance coverage, you may still be able to receive compensation for your injuries from your own insurance policy?
Many automobile insurance policies contain “Uninsured Motorist Coverage” or UM. UM comes into play when you are injured in an auto accident and the at fault person does not have insurance coverage. Even though Ohio law requires motorists to carry insurance, many drivers do not insurance on their vehicles. In the event that you are injured in an auto accident by a driver without coverage, your policy may contain UM which would compensate you for your medical bills, damage to your vehicle, lost wages and pain and suffering. Call the attorneys at Mickel & Huffman today to discuss your options.
Wrongful Death
In some cases, whether it be the result of an auto accident, slip-and-fall, nursing home neglect/abuse or other occurrence, the injuries resulting from another person’s negligence result in the death of the injured party. The attorneys at Mickel & Huffman are experienced in these cases and can fight for the compensation that the families of these people deserve.
If the death of your loved one was caused by the negligence of another, then you deserve compensation. The experienced attorneys at Mickel & Huffman will fight to get your family the compensation they deserve.
In Ohio, there are two prongs of a what is commonly referred to as a “wrongful death” claim – the wrongful death clam itself and the survivorship claim. The wrongful death claim flows through the estate of the deceased person and includes damages for conscious pain and suffering and death. The survivorship claim is asserted by the family members of a deceased person and compensates them for the loss of society and companionship of the decedent as well as financial support that the decedent would have provided to their family throughout the remainder of their expected lifespan. The attorneys at Mickel & Huffman are experience in asserting both claims on behalf of the families of deceased persons. Call us today for a free consultation and case evaluation.
Slip-And-Fall
In Ohio, in certain circumstances, the owner of real property is liable for injuries sustained by individuals while lawfully situated on their property. This type of case is commonly referred to as a “Premises Liability” case. This type of case has numerous pitfalls and recovery for injuries is often difficult to obtain. If you are injured on the property of another person, call the experienced attorneys at Mickel & Huffman to discuss your case and assess potential liability.
In Ohio, as with many other cold-climate states, there is a rule which limits recovery to individuals who are injured as a result of slipping and falling as a result of winter weather – snow and ice. Ohio’s “Winter Rule” essentially states that the owner of real property is not liable for injuries that are the result of natural accumulations of snow and ice. Though this rule is well established in Ohio case law, the rule is not an absolute bar to recovery. The attorneys at Mickel & Huffman have extensive experience evaluating the facts of each particular case and determining whether or not this rule precludes recovery. Call Mickel & Huffman today for your free consultation and case evaluation.
Dog Bites
While most of us experience dogs as loving pets, sometimes they bite people and can cause extensive injuries. If you are bitten by a dog it is important to contact an experienced attorney who knows the law and can advocate for you and help you to receive compensation for your injuries. In some states a dog must be determined to be “dangerous” before liability attaches to the owner – this is known as the “One Bite Rule.” Ohio, however, is not one of those states. In Ohio, dog owners are strictly liable for the injuries caused by their animals. If you are attacked by a dog, call the experienced attorneys at Mickel & Huffman today for a free consultation and case evaluation.
Nursing Home Abuse And Neglect
The decision to place a loved one in a nursing home or skilled-care facility is one of the most difficult decisions that we make. The process of doing so is difficult and expensive as well. When we place our loved ones in these facilities we expect that they will be treated and cared for competently and with the respect that they deserve. Sadly, many people experience abuse and/or neglect in nursing homes which lead to injuries and even death. If you believe that your loved one has been abused or neglected while residing in one of these facilities, you may have a viable claim for compensation. The law regarding nursing home abuse and neglect is complicated and requires the expertise that only an experienced attorney can provide. If you are a victim or the loved one of a victim of nursing home abuse or neglect, call the experienced attorneys at Mickel & Huffman today to discuss your situation.